-
The State of North Korean Studies: A Critical Appraisal
- Korean Studies
- University of Hawai'i Press
- Volume 22, 1998
- pp. 1-14
- 10.1353/ks.1998.0011
- Article
- Additional Information
- Purchase/rental options available:
While it cannot be denied that the current academic literature on North Korea is rapidly growing, current studies in the field can still be defined by a number of weaknesses. This paper argues that six such weaknesses can be found: (1) a paucity of theoretical and comparative studies, (2) an overall lack of methodological rigor, (3) logistical constraints on data, (4) a lamentable shortage of trained specialists, (5) various political constraints and a strong ideological bias, and (6) the generally noncumulative nature of the literature. The concluding section ponders the implications and effects of these points on future research.